Posted 2009-02-22 4:34 PM (#99904) Subject: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Member
Posts: 38 Location: Teutopolis, IL
I'm getting ready to clean and "oil up" our western saddles so they'll be ready for riding this spring. However, I never know what is the best thing to use. A cleaner/conditioner, Mink oil, Needs Foot Oil etc.
What are the steps you guys take in preparing your gear for the riding months. I just had new ties and leathers replaced so I know the leather is in good condition and I want to keep it that way!
Posted 2009-02-22 5:22 PM (#99906 - in reply to #99904) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I like the Neets foot Oil. But it has a tendancy to darken the leather, Snce most of my saddles are natural in color, I use the Bicks 4. It's the only moisturizer that I've found that doesn't darken the leather.
Posted 2009-02-22 8:24 PM (#99924 - in reply to #99904) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Expert
Posts: 1391 Location: North of Detroit, MI
BICK 4 is my favorite too.
I use a small brush and apply Bick 4 to the UNDERSIDE (raw) of the fenders, jockeys, stirrup leathers etc. I also lay the saddle upside down on the carpeting and sprinkle a good amount of talcum powder down into the saddle - in those spaces where the leather rubs on the saddle tree. Helps "lubricate" it and gets rid of squeaks.
I only use Neatsfoot oil on plain, new leather that I want to darken. I do not use it when there is stitching. For new reins, I coil them up in the bottom of a coffee can and pour the Neatsfoot oil in there. Let them sit overnight then rub them dry with toweling.
Mink oil - actually I have a paste - I use on my boots and leather gloves.
I use the bar saddle soap when I need to really clean something. I make a good lather and use the "suds" to clean the item. I lightly rinse and then I apply Bick 4.
AND... 2 or even 3 LIGHT coats of any conditioner are much better than 1 heavy one.
Posted 2009-02-25 5:43 AM (#100111 - in reply to #99904) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I have more containers of saddle soap than of people shampoo.. My favorite is stubben glycerin saddle soap, and passier sattelseif... It has a conditioner that you slather on and let sit.. wiping it off before you use the saddle next... I used it on an older saddle that needed softening.. works like a charm..
Posted 2009-02-25 11:38 AM (#100139 - in reply to #99904) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
I like Ko-Cho-Line. It goes on red so you know where you've got enough and where you need more. I let it sit overnight then wipe off the excess the next day. I used it on a cheap pony saddle from Mexico. It looked great when done, and has lasted about 10 yrs now! I'm pretty sure I could sell it for what I paid 'cuz it looks so good and the leather is improved. If I'm in a hurry I use a very light coat of Neatsfoot Oil.
Posted 2009-02-25 1:58 PM (#100153 - in reply to #99904) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
When it comes to my English gear I use Olive Oil. A little goes a long way and makes everything buttery soft. This treatment only needs to be done once or twice in the lifetime of the item, if soaked in a baggy...every year or two if wiped on with a cloth. It will darken the leather FYI.
Posted 2009-02-25 9:47 PM (#100176 - in reply to #100153) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Expert
Posts: 1871 Location: NY
Originally written by huntseat on 2009-02-25 2:58 PM
When it comes to my English gear I use Olive Oil. A little goes a long way and makes everything buttery soft. This treatment only needs to be done once or twice in the lifetime of the item, if soaked in a baggy...every year or two if wiped on with a cloth. It will darken the leather FYI.
Posted 2009-03-04 4:12 AM (#100597 - in reply to #99904) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Expert
Posts: 2615
I've used a lot of products over the years such as Leather New,Lexol,ect.I like glycerin saddle soap for cleaning,and I think Leather CPR is the best product I've used yet.
Posted 2009-03-07 4:28 PM (#100855 - in reply to #99904) Subject: RE: Cleaning and maintaining saddles
Veteran
Posts: 241
I'm a saddle maker so I can tell you a few things that might help. Most builders recommend you use Neatsfoot Oil. There are two kinds, 100 percent pure and then Neatsfoot Oil Compound. The Neatfoot Oil Compound tends to darken the leather faster. Some like this but most don't. Truth is anything you put on the leather to keep the surface protected from moisture and stains is going to darken the leather. Sun will also darken the leather. I personally like a saddle that earns its darker color, it looks good. One more thing that might help you when you are cleaning your saddles for spring. Make sure you get them clean before you oil them. If you dont you are doing more harm to the saddle than good. Putting an oil coat over dirt or grime is terrible on tooled leather. Get it clean and let it sit for a day before you oil it. The best way I have found to clean it is to use pressurized air from a compressor. Take your saddle, to a garage they will let you blow it off for free. Bring a stiff brush with you and brush it while you're blowing it. That sure gets it clean. Its also good for cleaning the sheep hair under the saddle.
Cleaning and maintaining saddles
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